Gate-latch.



PATBNTED JUNE 16,- 1903.

G. W. MERKER.

GATE LATCH.

LED NOV. 24-,

N0 MODEL.

Patented June 16, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. MERKER, OF BELLEVILLE, ILLINOIS.

GATE-LATCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 731,199, dated June 16, 1903. 7

Application filed November 24, 1902. Serial No. 132,636- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. MERKER, of the city of Belleville, St. Clair county, State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety Gate-Latches, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

My invention relates to improvements in safety gate-latches; and it consists in the novel arrangement, construction, and combination of parts, as will be fully hereinafter described and claimed.

The object of this invention is to construct a latch to be applied upon gates or doors on stock-fences and barn-doors to prevent the stock from opening said gate or door.

Figure 1 is a view of an ordinary gate,showing my invention placed in position thereon. Fig. 2 is a detailperspective view of the latch, showing the same in alocked position. Fig. 3 is an end view of the same.

In the construction of the device as shown I provide a member 4, shaped to represent that of an inverted hook. Upon the face of the member 4 is aprojection 5, extending upwardly and tapering, its upper end being flush with the surface of the member 4. To the free end of member 4 is hinged an inwardlyprojecting plate 7, being provided at its free end with a slot 8, which is to fit over the angular projection. This member of the latch is secured in any desirable manner upon the fence-post, and in applying the same a portion of the post material is cut out in conformity with the curve of said member 4.

Upon the gate is pivoted a bolt 9 and is guided by the keeper 10, also secured to the gate.

The operation of my invention is as follows: In closing the gate after the complete latch is placed in position the bolt 9 will come in contact with the upper edge of the projection 5, and by means of the inclined projection the said bolt 9 is forced upwardly, coming in contact with the under surface of the hinged plate 7, raising the same, and whenthe bolt 9 frees itself the said plate 7 will fall in position, as shown in Fig. 3, thereby preventing said bolt 9 from releasing itself. To open the latch, the gate is slightly pressed open,

which will bring the bolt 9 in a raised position on account of the curve of the member 4, and by bringing the thumb or finger in contact with the milled surface 11 of the hinge the plate 7 is raised, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3. Then the bolt 9 will lower itself and pass downwardly over the inclined projection 5.

A latch of this construction is simple and will prevent the gate from being opened by stock, as is an occurrence with latches of the common construction.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim is- 1. A latch of the class described comprising a hook-shaped member, an inclined projection formed on the face of said member, a plate hinged to the free end of said member, and the bolt carried by the gate arranged to come in contact with and be locked in the hook-shaped member to prevent the same from being opened by stock, substantially as specified. 1

2. A latch of the class described comprising a hook-shaped member secured to the fencepost, a plate hingedly secured to said member, a bolt pivotally secured to the gate and arranged to come in contact with the under surface of the plate when locking same and held within. said member, above the plate when locked, substantially as specified.

3. Alatch of the class described comprising a member carried by the fence-post and integral inclined projection formed on said memher; a plate hingedly secured to the free and projecting end of the member, said plate being arranged at an angle and provided with a slot at its free end to fit over the inclined projection and the bolt carried by the gate, and arranged to come in contact when in the act of closing the gate with the upper surface of the inclined projection, and to raise the plate and lock itself within the member, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE W. MERKER.

Witnesses:

ALFRED A. EICKS, JOHN C. HIGDON. 

